Time for change…

I arrived back home from extended travel in January, that was 6 months ago, now I’m sleeping in the same bed every night. My days and weeks have become structured. I have enjoyed watching the garden change through the seasons. See the garden in its summer glory here. It is now mid-winter, but in Queensland that means slightly cooler days and nights and no humidity, ideal for working in the garden.

Back in January I planted vegetables and tomatoes in pots.

The tomatoes have done very well and kept us in a steady supply.

But, annoyingly, the birds also found them. A bird net over them solved that problem.

I keep the salad greens and herbs in pots so I can move them around to follow the sun. They are now down the far end of the garden in a sheltered area, protected from the winter winds, and they get all day sun.

The raised bed for herbs, in the front garden keeps on keeping on.

So that is my vegetable supply and my entry into Jude’s (earth laughs in flowers) weekly/monthly garden photography challenge and for July the theme is “the edible garden”

But while you are here I will take you for a garden walk to see what is happening in July in my garden.

Today winter has arrived it is a rather grey and dismal sort of day, showers are forecast and the temperature is only about 18c degrees, but until this week we have had some warm sunny days and this flowering shrub is bursting into flower. I inherited this shrub when I moved in and don’t know its name but it has a most beautiful soft scent and flowers twice during the year.

I wonder if you remember the bat plant, the most unusual plant in my garden (see it here) It is a true tropical plant and look at it now.

It certainly does not like the cooler temperatures. (this is for you Sue)

The compost bin is full and quietly decomposing. It has been a busy time of pruning and mulching as this year there has been plenty of rain and the growth has been phenomenal.

Come into my very untidy “studio”. That is possibly a rather pretentious term for where I now like to indulge in my new passion.

So for a while I am going to be loving and leaving you all.

I took my first tentative steps into the virtual world of the blogosphere in 2009. Since then it has become a major part of my life, journaling my daily and weekly happenings, joining in challenges, searching through thousands of photos in my archives to find the perfect submission for the themes. Taking photos with the ever-present thought of “will that be suitable for a post”, and, of course, making many dear friends from all over the world in this wonderful virtual world of Word Press. Enjoying the connection of “chatting” and commenting with other bloggers and the community spirit of friendship.

Now I want to take a break, spend more time practising art, trying and learning new techniques. Immersing myself in the flow of creativity, reading more books and of course spending time in the garden.

I’m sure I am going to have withdrawal symptoms, 7 years of regular posts is a major commitment, so I will occasionally pop by to say “G’day” and keep in touch with my blogging buddies.

The hammock hangs forlorn and unused waiting for summer.

Maybe I will find time to do some house-work, but I will not disturb this spider I think they do a good job of catching mosquitoes.

So that’s it for now. I hope you all have a really great weekend. Bye for now…

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100 thoughts on “Time for change…”

Merry Christmas to you and Jack, Pauline. I know I haven’t been visiting in a while, but here I am to find you are now taking a break to paint, and having a glimpse of your studio is a treat. You have such talent. I look forward to reading your posts when you can get to them and please share your painting expeditions. Your garden is exquisite and I am sure a source of inspiration always!!

Hello Sue it was lovely to see you pop in. I didn’t intend to spend so long out of the blogging loop, it certainly doesn’t feel like 5 months, but I will be doing the occasional post next year so will see you around.

G’day Yvette, lovely to hear from you. Hope all is well in your corner of the world. We had a huge thunder storm last night, but no damage. Now sweltering in summer heat, but now we are back in our proper house and are lucky to have aircon. Hope it is not too cold for you. Have a happy and peaceful Christmas. Love and hugs to you my blogging buddy.

Thanks for the check in – and glad the storm did not cause damage
– things are beautiful here weather wise – only a few frosty mornings – actually ready for more….
And glad you are with aircon and hope your garden does well!
Xxoo

Hi PP my dear friend – I am just poking my nose in to see how you and Jack are doing. I so miss your lovely chats, but I am sure your life is full of things you love – the garden, the walks to the beach, your painting, and hopefully one or two small trips. I do hope one day you will return to the blogosphere, but until then stay well and enjoy your settled life in the Gold Coast and pleease send us some of that warmth it is getting a bit chilly here now!
Jude xx ❤ ❤

G’day Jude it was so lovely to hear from you, great to know I am gone but not forgotten. I really don’t know where the time has gone since I was last on the blogosphere. I get twinges of guilt every now and again, but life seems to have just filled up and not left much time for blogging. We have done one house sit and had a weekend in Grafton to see the glorious jacaranda festival, lots of photos. How is your garden? I’ve really enjoyed watching my garden through the year. I will find time to pop over and come for a virtual stroll around your place. Weather here is glorious, hope it is not too cold in your part of the world. Are you coming over here to see your family in Perth? Take care my blogging buddy, bye for now.

Ah, thanks for getting back to me PP – I appreciate you taking time out of ‘life’ to have a visit with me. Sounds as though you are having a great time and I hope one day you will be back posting – especially those Jacaranda trees 🙂 Love to Jack xx

Hello Pauline .. this is Poppytump come looking for you 🙂 I too felt the need to drop out and focus a little more on what was important to me . Photography first , and then letting the art develop when the mood is right . It’s not something that can be forced I realise, AND not that easy , but then that’s the personal challlenge isn’t it 🙂 I wish you lots of fun with those brushes , paint and creativity … let loose and see what happens . You probably have done so already as you’ve been away alittle while . I do hope you’ll share at some point and maybe wander back into blogland as and when xx always a pleasure to visit you here , whether watching your garden grow or hearing about your adventures in new places when you were house sitting . I’ve much appreciated your warmth and encouragement in my ventures too … wishing you happy days ahead with it all Pauline , love to you and Jack xx

Wow, girl, that is quite the eclectic post. Were the tomatoes tasty? They look almost ripe. And yeah, just leave that spider where he is. Is he/she poisonous? There are lots of real deadly critters where you live, you know. Careful.

Hi Pauline it has been lovely reading of your adventures. Your garden is wonderful , so many colors and surprises. Enjoy your break and new ventures, take care.
Much love
Sheila x
ps I have still more of your blogs to catch up on.

Dear Pauline, I have been away in Spain, and haven’t visited until now – Here i found your wonderful garden and your creative mind again – but leaving us? A wise decision even if it hurts…because you chose to develop and redevelop other talents as well! I will miss your adventures and your happy comments and smiles, your interesting plants and adventurous biking (!). I do think you will pop by with a post or a comment now and then…at least that is what I try to read into your lines…
You have been here for us such a long time…. – big hug and wishes for great new adventures in art and garden!

It was lovely to get your message Leya, I am enjoying my art, some hits and plenty of misses in my experimenting. I will pop back occasionally, I do miss the community connections, but there is a certain amount of freedom in not doing regular posts. I must come over and see your photos of Spain, I can imagine you had a glorious time there.

I am glad you enjoy your freedom and feel good! Thank you for answering- now I know you will keep in touch. And yes – if you want to, I recommend Thursday Thoughts- the beach entry. That day stands out…don’t we all love magical surprises? Big hug to you and yours💖

Hi Pauline, I think taking a break is a good thing – I am happy you’ve found another creative outlet in your art. I have enjoyed gardening, traveling and musing with you and most especially meeting you in person when you graciously hosted me and my husband during our time in Australia. Enjoy and hello to Jack! much happiness to you. J

Thank you Jane, I will still be popping over every now and again. I am missing blogging already, but I’m really enjoying the challenge of painting. It was a lovely day we spent together. I will eventually be back…

Hi P !
Wow – was surprised to hear you are taking a break – but also understand –
and well the tomatoes look so good and I like the idea for containers for moving them too – I forgot that could be a bonus!
And have fun with your art! The studio looks peaceful!
I have something to add to it later – but will share later
–
Anyhow – I don’t really have loved my blog breaks – I find they are hard at first – but then very natural and have also allowed me to assess my MO –
Oh and on my summer breaks in years past I had the chance to find new blogs or just go slower at visiting – or stayed away fully – and it was such a gift!
Ok – be back later –
Xxoo

I’ve really enjoyed our “chats” Yvette and I must admit to having a few withdrawal symptoms, but the bonus is having much more time to try my hand at painting, quite a challenge!!! I will eventually be back in the fold and will occasionally pop by to say G’day. Take care and best wishes.

I absolutely love your garden, Pauline. Mine is like a mini version of yours (all my plants are in boxes and pots because we will be moving house next year). I even have a hammock that’s identical to yours – I bought it when we lived in Spain. Enjoy your art, reading and of course your garden, during your break from blogging. 🙂

Pauline,enjoyed looking at your garden and your travels when I received them. Thanks for remembering me. As I dont live far from you, if you feel like a break from your new venture, ring me and we will share a cuppa. Cheers

Good for you for backing off for a while in an organized way and perhaps you’ll blog occasionally about your art? I’ve found it really hard to keep up during our summer – too much outside to experience before the big chill returns! I do enjoy your upbeat blogs though and always read them even if I didn’t comment. Have a great life of new pursuits and perhaps our blog paths will cross again.

Oh Pauline I’ll miss you so much and I’m not alone. I totally understand your need for change, blogging is so time consuming, but so rewarding. I’m wondering if Jack will be posting still? I really hope that you’ll let us know what you’re up to occasionally, you’re such a lovely and positive presence for me and our other blogging friends. Enjoy all the things you do and take care of yourself, with love, G.

I will be back at some stage and I will still call round to say “G’day” to my special friends and in the meantime may make the occasional appearance to keep in touch. I really enjoy the blogging community it is a great organisation.

It has been a pleasure and privilege getting to know you the past while through your weekly door posts. I’m sad to see you go but at the same time I’m happy that you’re leaving for other activities you’re passionate about.
Take care and do stop in whenever like – cheers 😀

It’s good to change things up. Blogging, with all it’s pleasures, takes time from other pursuits. I suspect you will find a whole new creative flow with your artwork, reading, gardening, and whatever else takes your fancy. Enjoy your blogging time off. I will certainly miss you, though.

I’m going to miss you so much. You are the person I wanted to be, travelling around constantly, you on your own, you and Jack, the house-sitting years. Such fun, such memories. You have become a very dear friend and I always look forward to your posts and your visits to mine. But I am being selfish. Of course you must do what YOU want and spend time at home and in the garden and creating. Just don’t stay away too long. Pleeease…. in the mean time I shall have to go browsing through your archives to get my Aussie fix, what with Meg in Europe now too!
Stay safe, stay well and have fun 🙂
Jude xx

That is such a lovely comment Jude and I consider you one of my favourite cyber friends. You and Jo and Tish make me long to visit England again with your beautiful photos and descriptions of the country of my birth. Blogging is such a great way to keep a record of events through the years and I know I will eventually be back, if only to record special places so they don’t slip into the fog of memories forgotten. I have been wanting to try my hand at different forms of art, but the old procrastination bug always turns me toward doing posts as they are easier than getting the paint brushes out. So time will tell and at least I will get this out of my system… Jack is also into art too, he is learning calligraphy and Chinese brush painting. Stay well and enjoy creating your new garden in your gorgeous piece of Cornwall. I will keep in touch

Enjoy the change of pace…maybe at your own pace. Will maybe email you occasionally. Regards to Jack…oh, did i tell you my best mate from school and her partner are coming to house sit when we go to the wedding…only 6 wks away now.

Dear Pauline,
Thank you for all the pleasure you have brought to me since I have followed you. I have loved my travelling around with you upon your many travels. To places I would never have seen otherwise.
I have so enjoyed the delights of parks, buildings, flowers, benches, and your delightful shares of your art and of other peoples.

I see many now within the blogsphere withdrawing, to do their own thing.. Me too I am here less, as I absorb Summer and my garden..
You are doing the right thing, by spending time doing the things that bring joy, contentment with no sense of obligation.

Your Garden despite being winter is looking so colourful. All of your veggies, herbs are looking like they have enjoyed your tender loving care over the last few months of staying in one place..
Today it is more like October here than July.. And raining here, or I would be out in the allotment..
I hope to see you when ever you feel the urge to connect back into WP again Pauline..

Please also give Jack a Huge hug from me.. I do miss his posts, but know also how he too is doing what he loves..

The world is in need of more of us going within, doing what pleases us, to bring that Joy back in our Inner Lives. And by doing so we are helping generate Joy back into the World as a whole..
Take care of yourself Pauline..
Love and Blessings
Sue xxx ❤

I was going to say ‘surrounded by beauty, as always’ Pauline (except for that bat plant 🙂 but you floored me by announcing your departure! I shall miss your kind presence so much, but I applaud a wise move. I know that it’s one I should probably make too, and do something ‘real’ with my life, while I still can. Hugs to you both, sweetheart. Take good care, and be sure to let us know how you are from time to time. With great affection 🙂

Dear Jo I really admire your enthusiasm and energy, wow all those followers and you make them all feel so special. I don’t know how you keep up with it all, blogging is so time consuming, but I have loved every minute of it and I certainly will be back. I have withdrawal symptoms already. It is also a good way to keep an on going record of what I do over the years so without the blog to refer too how will I ever remember where I have been and how long ago I did things!!! But this art thing has been simmering in the background for quite a while so I feel I must “give it a go”, but I will be back and you will see mr lurking in the wings putting likes and occasional comments, so keep up the good work and keep soldiering on with those so popular walks. Good health, safe travels and best wishes “till we meet again” I’ll go out on a song….

Wow, this must be a huge decision for you to make, to take a change of focus!
It sounds like you have chosen to focus on few other life interests for a while now that you have âsettledâ back.

I Often think of your adventures and how much you have followed your desires to see Australia. And have definitely made the most of your ability to do that.
I guess it can now be rewarding to settle and enjoy the community and surroundings and get immersed into life of some normality is not that bad!

I know that I well overdue for a catch upâ¦. but since coming home it has been literally hit the ground running! Thankfully I got the time totally away when I did as it will be another 12 months of focus as the business goes through a settling and growth period after the stressful re negotiating of contract period.

For now I see that its important to rebuild and focus on the growth that is happening. Since getting back it has been a time to make sure everyone else gets some quality time off before we get busyâ¦ so its back to hands on deck â im covering dispatch on weekends, and raelene has taken a month off â so im doing her role to! Not a lot of spare time at the momentâ¦ but important the we get everyone else quality time off. Everyone felt the pressure of the contract review process so having to work our way through giving everyone time off as we were stretched for a period of time.

That being said, no real excuse for not being in touchâ¦ but this weekend is the first weekend I will have âoffâ since getting home from Everest!
In saying it will be off â I mean I wont be on dispatch, but I still have work to do. Really hoping to go for hike on Sunday if weather permits as it has been bit patchy lately.

Anyway hope you are both wellâ¦great to see the photo and blog a it shows you have settled back an got everything looking wonderful.

Well lots of love for nowâ¦ and will get to chat one day soonâ¦ XXX

Jackie Carroll
Managing Director |Owner

m +64 21 342766

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I loved your garden, and your vegetables look wonderful, especially compared to ours…covered in frost! I can understand your need to try something new and creative, art and photography and blogging are all quite similar….best wishes with your new ventures!

Oh PP, I will miss you!! I always enjoy our little conversations in the blogosphere. But I understand you wanting to pursue a new direction. Creativity always calls to me and I think your studio looks like a great place to dive in. As usual, your garden looks gorgeous (well that bat plant is very strange). I’ve just arrived back to the Melbourne weather and am slightly envious of your QLD one. It was glorious up in Mackay (although not today I believe). Anyway, enough rambling from me, take care and enjoy your creative spell away. Xxx

I’ll still be around checking out my buddies and seeing what you are getting up to but not posting for a while. It is very chilly here today and a good day to be indoors with the computer and the heater on.

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60 something female, ( now 70 I have been doing this blog 3 years) fit and active, loves travel, reading, walking. Born in Yorkshire, UK. Moved to New Zealand, love the country. Became a "Kiwi" lived there 37 years, son and daughter still live there. Moved to Australia because I now live with and love an Australian that I met in NZ and am now an Aussie citizen.